noun
Meaning 1
Divination by interpreting the sound or effect of an object or substance (commonly a gem) falling into a body of water.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Examples
- 1610 Vives in J. Healey Saint Augustine of the Citie of God Diuination generally was done by diuers means..Hydromancy..done..in a basen of water, which is called Lecanomancie, in which Strabo sayth the Asians are singular.
- 1893 Howitt tr. Ennemoser Hist. Magic ii. Among the various other kinds of divination not here mentioned may be enumerated Chilomancy performed with keys; Alphitomancy or Aleuromancy, by flour; Keraunoscopia, by the consideration of thunder; Eychnomancy, by lamps; Ooscopy, by eggs; Licanomancy by a basin of water; Palpitatim, Salisatio, by the pulsation or motion of some member etc.
- 1931 Lock tr. de Givry Picture Museum of Sorcery I may mention further lecanomancy, which was performed by letting precious stones drop into water; a mysterious little whistling resulted which announced the thing desired.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided